Articulated figure toy



Aug. 28, 1956 c. DEL MAS ARTICULATED FIGURE TOY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March l8, 1953 INVENTOR 4 CHE/$7 Y /V. fleZ/VA 6 ATTORNEYS Aug. 28; 1956 c. M. DEL MAS 2,760,303

ARTICULATED FIGURE TOY Filed March 18, 195; s Sheet-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 67/19/87) M. Del/WA ATTORNEYS Aug. 28, 1956 c. M. DEL MAS 2,760,303

ARTICULATED FIGURE TOY Filed March 18, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 J 6/ 50 4 48 a W/ 45 49 a 48 ig 2:7 I All! M fi 46 44- INVENTOR BY WW ATTORNEYS United States Patent ARTICULATED FIGURE TOY Christy Michael Del Mas, New York, N. Y., assignor to Michael P. Grace, New York, N. Y.

Application March 18, 1953, Serial No. 343,087 4 Claims. (Cl. 46-22) This invention relates to amusement devices and more particularly to an articulated toy providing a foundation for clothesand simulating a miniature human figure.

Heretofore, numerous amusement devices of this nature have been proposed but these have not been completely satisfactory in that they did not permit lifelike movements, were cumbersome to store, and display for sale and in many instances were unduly fragile, resulting in frequent loss, due to breakage.

It is therefore, an object of this invention to provide an articulated toy in which the body and head portions may be formed from a moldable, unbreakable material and in which the body extremities may be formed by coil springs.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an articulated toy which may be stored and sold in disassembled condition with the various body portions and body extremities being secured together by the interfitting relationship of such members.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an articulated toy in which the body is divided into upper and lower portions formed of a semi-yieldable material, these portions being joined together by a spinal column permitting relative lifelike movement between the two body portions, and providing a foundation for clothes.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an articulated toy in which the various parts are so formed as to permit convenient and rapid assembly Without the necessity of using tools.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an articulated toy simulating a miniature human figure, and incorporating shoes having vacuum cup means for releasably securing the toy to a smooth surface, the leg members being resilient in order to permit compression of the same, which upon release, disengages the shoes from the supporting surface and causes the toy to jump and alight at another location in a lifelike manner.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an articulated toy which may be economically constructed of readily available materials and which provides a substantially indestructible device for sale in a highly competitive market.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of an articulated toy constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2, a side elevational view of the toy shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4, a sectional view on the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5, a detail view in perspective showing the means for attaching the head portion of the toy to the chest or upper body portion;

Fig. 6, a fragmentary side elevational view with parts in section for greater clarity, showing one form of leg and shoe construction;

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Fig. 7, a front elevational view of the leg and shoe construction shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8, a sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9, a sectional view on the line 9-9 of Fig. 6, showing a different manner of attaching the leg to the lower body portion;

Fig. 10, a bottom plan view of the shoe showing the vacuum cup construction;

Fig. 11, a fragmentary elevational view showing a leg stump for receiving a leg member in the manner shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 12, a fragmentary elevational view of a resilient flexible leg member to be attached to the leg stump shown in Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13, a fragmentary sectional View of a resilient flexible leg member to be attached to the leg stump shown in Fig. 6.

With continued reference to the drawing the articulated toy of this invention may well comprise an upper body portion 10 molded from a semi-yieldable plastic or other suitable material, this upper body portion being formed to provide shoulders 11, a neck 12, a chest portion 13 and downwardly extending projections 14, the purpose of which will later appear. The upper body portion 10 is hollow and the shoulders 11 are provided with apertures 15 forming armholes. Armholes 15 are adapted to receive with a snug press fit arm stumps comprising plugs 16 which may be formed of wood or other suitable material. The diameter of plugs 16 is slightly greater than the normal diameter of apertures 15 and consequently when the plugs 16 are inserted within these apertures 15 the material of the upper body portion 10 will be stretched to tightly grip the plugs 16 and securely hold the same in position. The outer ends of plugs 16 are tapered, as shown in 17, the purpose of which will be later described.

The neck 12 is hollow and a sleeve 18 of Wood or other suitable material is received therein with a tight press fit, the diameter of this sleeve 18 being somewhat greater than the normal internal diameter of the hollow neck in order to securely hold the sleeve 18 in position.

A lower body portion 19 may be molded of semi-yieldable plastic or other suitable material and this lower body portion 19 is provided with an upwardly opening recess 20, simulated hips 21 and buttocks 22. Embedded in the material of the lower body portion 19 and projecting upwardly within the recess 20 is a centrally disposed pin 23 of wood or other suitable material, the upper end of this pin 23 being tapered as shown at 24. Also embedded in the material of the lower body portion 19 are pegs 25 of wood or other suitable material, which pegs project downwardly and provide spaced leg stumps. The lower ends of pegs 25 are tapered as shown at 26, the purpose of which will presently appear. The lower body portion 19 is provided at the upper edge thereof, with upwardly projecting front tabs 27 and an upwardly projecting rear tab 28 which in conjunction with the downwardly extend ing projections 14 on the upper-body portion 10 provide a suitable foundation and support between the upper and lower body portions for clothes which may be disposed thereon.

The upper and lower body portions 10 and 19 respectively are connected together for relative movement both toward and from each other and also for relatively gyratory movement by a spinal column 29 which may well comprise a coil spring with the upper and lower end convolutions 30 and 31 respectively, closely spaced and with the intermediate convolutions more widely spaced. The internal diameter of the spinal column 29 is normally slightly less than the external diameters of the sleeve 18 and pin 23.

In order to assemble the upper and lower body portions and 19 in proper operative relationship it is only necessary to force the lower end 31 of the spinal column 29 over the pin 23 with a rotary or threading movement, this operation being'materially facilitated by the tapered end 24 on the pin 23 and to apply the upper end 30 of the spinal column 29 over the lower end of the sleeve 18 in a similar manner. Since this operation tends to expand the ends 30 and 31 of the spinal column 29 which expansion is resisted by the closely spaced convolutions, the sleeve 18 and pin 23 is tightly gripped or engaged resulting in securely assembling the upper and lower body portions 10 and 19 respectively, together. It will be obvious that due to the resilient and compressible nature of the spinal column 29, that the upper and lower body portions 10 and 19 respectively, are relatively free for movement toward or from each other and also for relative gyratory movement.

A hollow head 32 of semi-yieldable plastic or other suitable material may be provided with simulated eyes 33, nose 34 and mouth 35, and is also provided with a downwardly opening neck portion 36, which is loosely received over the neck 12 of the upper body portion 10. In order to movably secure the head 32 to the upper body portion 10 there may be provided within the head 32 a cross member 37 having a downwardly extending U-shaped portion 38 about which is looped an elastic element 39. This elastic element 39 extends downwardly through the sleeve 18 and a cross bar 40 extends through the elastic element 39 and the convolutions of the spring forming spinal column 29 with the cross bar 40 in engagement with the lower edge of the sleeve 18. In order to prevent inadvertent displacement of the cross bar 40, the same may be provided with upturned ends 41 which extend upwardly on each side of the sleeve 18 and thus elfectively prevent endwise movement of the cross bar 40.

It will be seen that by the above described construction the head 32 is movably secured to the upper body portion 10 in a manner which will permit any desired lifelike movement of the head 32 and which also permits of convenient and rapid assembly or disassembly. It is to be noted that the U-shaped portion 38 of the cross member 37 prevents undesirable movement of the elastic element 39 thereon, which maintains a downward force on the head 32 substantially along the center line thereof.

The leg members 42 and 43 of the articulated toy of this invention are formed by spirally wound coil springs 44 and as best shown in Fig. 6, each spring 44 is provided at its upper end with relatively closely spaced convolutions 45 which may be tightly received over the peg 25 forming the leg stump. Assembly of the convolutions 45 over the peg 25 is materially facilitated by the tapered portion 26 on the lower end of peg 25. The lower end of spring 44 is provided with relatively closely spaced convolutions 46 of a diameter somewhat greater than the diameter of the remainder of the spring. The purpose of this feature will presently appear and it is also to be noted that the intermediate convolutions of the spring 44 are relatively widely spaced.

A modified manner of attachment of the spring 44 to the peg 25 is shown in Figs. 8 and 11 in which the peg 25 is provided with spaced spirally disposed ridges 47 forming a thread which serves to threadedly receive the closely spaced convolutions 45 at the upper end of spring 44. Also in this form of attachment the diameter of the peg 25 between the ridges 47 is slightly greater than the internal diameter of the spring 44, thus resulting in a tight frictional engagement therebetween.

Shoes 48 may be molded of rubber or other suitable, yieldable material and these shoes maybe provided with simulated decorations 49 and laces 50. Shoes 48 are provided at the ankle portions thereof with a recess 51 of substantially the same diameter as the outer diameter of the enlarged convolutions 46 of the spring 44, there being an inwardly extending lip or flange 52 at the upper end of recess 51 which provides a restricted opening. The enlarged convolutions 46 of the spring 44 may be inserted within the recess 51 by a rotary threading movement and once disposed within the recess 51 below the lip or flange 52 serve to securely hold the shoes 48 in assembled relationship with the leg members comprising the springs 44.

Shoes 48 are provided with a downwardly opening recess 53 which is surrounded by a downwardly extending flange 54 simulating the sole of the shoe, the lower surface or" flange 54 being flat and in a common plane to intimately engage a supporting surface 55 of a table, the floor or other desired object. The recess 53 thus provides a vacuum cup which upon tight engagement between the lower edge of the flange 54 and the supporting surface 55 serves to releasably hold the shoes 48 and the remainder of the toy attached thereto, in position.

This vacuum cup construction, together with the resilient nature of the springs 44 constituting the leg members, serves to provide the jumping feature of the toy, and this action is accomplished by pushing the entire toy downwardly to compress the springs 44 and then suddenly releasing the toy which moves upward due to the expansion of the springs 44, the inertia of the upper and lower body portions and associated parts serving to pull the shoes 48 away from the supporting surface 45 with the toy moving through the air and alighting in an upright position at a different location in a lifelike manner. Since the shoes 48 are of appreciable weight when compared to the remainder of the toy the same will remain in a substantially upright position during this jumping operation.

The arms 56 are composed of coil springs 57 having closely spaced convolutions 58 at the inner ends thereof, which are tightly received over the plugs 16 forming the arm stumps. The outer end of springs 57 are likewise provided with relatively closely spaced convolutions 59 which are tightly received over cylindrical portions 60, of hands 61. Hands 61 may be provided with fingers 62 and thumbs 63, in order to complete the lifelike appearance of the toy.

Obviously with the toy as described above positioned on the supporting surface 55, lifelike movements may be imparted to the same due to the articulated construction provided by the various coil springs which serve to connect the various parts of the device and as described above a jumping motion may be accomplished in the manner described. In view of the ease of assembly of the various parts the toy may be sold in a disassembled condition, thus materially reducing storage space requirements, which toy may be assembled without the use of tools and in view of the fact, that all parts are formed of unbreakable materials, damage to the device is substantially impossible. The body and head portions may be formed by relatively inexpensive molding operations utilizing relatively simple molding dies and the spinal column, leg members and arms may be formed by relatively inexpensive coil spring winding operations. When covered with suitable clothes, the articulated toy of this invention presents a pleasing and extremely lifelike appearance and the relative movements made possible by the articulated construction further enhance the life-like character of the device.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An articulated toy providing a foundation for clothes and simulating a miniature human figure comprising an upper hollow body portion of semi-yieldable material having shoulders, a hollow neck and armholes in said shoulders, a sleeve received with a press fit in said neck and projecting into said upper body portion, an arm stump comprising a plug having a tapered outer end received with a press fit in each armhole, a lower body portion of semi-yieldable material providing hips and buttocks and having an upwardly opening recess, a centrally disposed pin embedded in the material of said lower body portion and projecting upwardly within said recess, a spinal column connecting said upper and lower body portions for universal relative movement and comprising a coil spring tightly received at each end thereof, over said pin and said sleeve, a hollow head movably received over said neck, resilient means to movably secure said head to said upper body portion, leg stumps comprising pegs embedded in the material of said lower body portion and extending downwardly therefrom, said pegs having tapered lower ends, leg members detachably secured to said stumps, each leg member comprising a coil spring with closely spaced convolutions at each end thereof, and widely spaced convolutions between the ends, the upper ends of said springs being tightly received over said pegs, shoes secured to the lower ends of said leg members, each shoe comprising a body having an upwardly opening recess in the ankle portion of said shoe, with the lower portion of said spring tightly received therein, arms comprising coil springs tightly received over said arm stumps, hands having cylindrical portions tightly received within the outer ends of said last mentioned springs and front and rear tabs projecting upwardly from the upper edge of said lower body portion to provide a foundation between said upper and lower body portions for clothes disposed there- 2. An articulated toy providing a foundation for clothes and simulating a miniature human figure comprising an upper hollow body portion having shoulders and a hollow neck, a sleeve tightly received in said neck and projecting into said upper body portion, an arm stump projecting from each shoulder, a lower body portion having an upwardly opening recess, a centrally disposed pin projecting upwardly within said recess, a spinal column connecting said upper and lower body portions for universal relative movement and comprising a coil spring tightly received at each end thereof over said pin and said sleeve, a hollow head movably received over said neck, resilient means to removably secure said head to said upper body portion, leg stumps extending downwardly from said lower body portion, leg members detachably secured to said stumps, each leg member comprising a coil spring with closely spaced convolutions at each end thereof and widely spaced convolutions between the ends, the upper ends of said springs being tightly received over said stumps, shoes secured to the lower ends of said leg members, each shoe comprising a body having an upwardly opening recess in the ankle portion of said shoe with the lower portion of said spring tightly received therein, arms comprising coil springs tightly received over said arm stumps and hands having c -iindrical portions tightly received within the outer ends of said last mentioned springs.

3. An articulated toy providing a foundation for clothes and simulating a miniature human figure comprising an upper hollow body portion having shoulders and a hollow neck, a sleeve tightly received in said neck and projecting into said upper body portion, an arm stump pro- ,iecting from each shoulder, a lower body portion having an upwardly opening recess, a centrally disposed pin projecting upwardly within said recess, a spinal column connecting said upper and lower body portions for universal relative movement and comprising a coil spring tightly received at each end thereof over said pin and said sleeve, a hollow head movably received over said neck, resilient means to movably secure said head to said upper body portion, leg stumps extending downwardly from said lower body portion, leg members detachably secured to said stumps, each leg member comprising a coil spring, the upper ends of said springs being tightly received over said stumps, shoes secured to the lower end of said leg member, each'shoe compriing a body having an upwardly opening recess in the ankle portion of said shoe with the lower portion of said spring tightly received therein, arms comprising coil springs tightly received over said arm stumps and hands having cylindrical portions tightly secured to the outer ends of said last mentioned springs.

4. A toy as defined in claim 3 in which said leg stumps are provided with threads to threadedly engage the upper ends of said leg members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 354,672 Barling Dec. 21, 1886 535,896 Fritsche Mar. 19, 1895 1,196,008 Mann Aug. 29, 1916 1,211,232 Read Jan. 2, 1917 1,710,989 Kelly Apr. 30, 1929 1,824,317 Wilhelm Sept. 22, 1931 1,996,806 Hajdu Apr. 9, 1935 2,137,575 Lincoln Nov. 22, 1938 2,178,621 Andre Nov. 7, 1939 2,219,130 Hermann Oct. 22, 1940 2,271,312 Shorter I an. 27, 1942 2,350,114 Katz May 30, 1944 2,498,974 Wilbik Feb. 28, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 10,470 Great Britain 1912 

